Prayer of St Francis

Chapter 8 –

I Bruise Easily By Yamcha's Big Pants aka Kirsty Graham

AN: Hey guys, thanks for your fidelity towards this story. It really has been a dream come true writing it. I'm sorry for the huge gap between updates but I've had a lot of things happening. I can't believe it's been over a year since I last wrote anything for this story. I want to thank "Link of the Hyrulians" for inspiring me to finish this fanfic, I think there's going to be four more chapters including this one, I don't think you'll have to wait another year for the next chapter though. Once again I'm sorry for those you who have kept their eye on this fanfic. I'll try to keep the standard up J God bless you all. Here's the long overdue Chapter 8, enjoy. The characters featured in this story belong to Marvel and I use them without permission. The Song is "I Bruise Easily" By Natasha Bedingfield. I use this without permission of Natasha or her recording label. I earn nothing from the production of this material as it's only a hobby.

My skin is like a map, where my heart has been
And I can't hide the marks, but it's not a negative thing
So I lay down my guard, drop my defences, down by my clothes
I'm learning to fall, with no safety net, to cushion the blow

Storm's breath hitched in her throat as a familiar pain shot through her side. Clutching her ribs, she sat down in the soft chair at her back. Kitty Pryde peeked up from her textbook, frowning in concern.

"Miss Munroe, are you okay?" She ventured, breaking the silence, at which several other students looked up from their studies.

Storm nodded, straining a smile. "Yes, yes, everyone, I'm fine, Wolverine can be rougher than he wants to be sometimes that's all" The students exchanged looks and began to snigger and jest. Storm felt her cheeks blaze with embarrassment. Her choice of words had not been wise "Everyone back to work" Breathing slowly, she knew she'd been lucky to have escaped with only a cracked rib. She could have ended up with pneumonia, frostbite, exposure, not to mention the fact she could have died. Still, it didn't take the pain away from the injury she'd sustained when Wolverine hauled her from the icy water.

The bell outside the door rang briefly giving way to the noise of scraping chairs and soft chatter. Storm stood up carefully and straightened out the creases in her suede skirt. "Alright everyone, I want that chapter complete for Monday." She doubted anyone had listened to her before exiting the classroom. Sighing gently she looked at the clock on the wall and smiled gently. End of class meant time with Kurt.

As though reading her thoughts, a black cloud of smoke suddenly appeared at the back of her class, in a second the first of a row of blinds closed over the window. After a series of explosions of vivid and pungent mist, the blinds had all been freed and the room plunged into semi darkness. Storm chuckled lightly. "Kurt? This is a classroom, what do you think you're doing?"

At that he arrived by her side, bending her backwards over his arm. "What vould you like me to do?" He asked a fang glinting in the dim light.

Storm gasped in pain, her cracked rib roaring in pain. Kurt, startled, righted her on her feet. "Oh, Liebchen, I…I'm sorry, I totally forgot!" He hung back, afraid to touch her. She glanced up at him, a reassuring smile peeking out through the aching pain she felt.

"It's alright Kurt" Wincing, Storm straightened up and breathed deeply.

Nightcrawler held back, causing an awkward atmosphere to develop between them. Ororo tidied her papers away, all the while Kurt watched her every action, still not sure if she was upset or not. He shoved his strange hands into his large pockets, waiting patiently for her. Finally, the snowy haired teacher picked up her ledger and smiled over at her boyfriend.

"Okay, we ready to go?" He brightened up instantaneously, offering to take the book from her. Holding the glass door open for her, he bowed, making her chuckle. "I'll say one thing for you Kurt, you certainly know how to make a lady feel loved."

"Not "a" lady, only you" He charmed, with a lopsided smile. He admired her graceful form as she walked down the corridor slightly ahead of him. The rhythm of her shapely hips, the coffee and cream legs which travelled so smoothly down to a pair of black high heels, that intoxication aroma of perfume, shampoo and body lotion which followed her everywhere; it drove him crazy. He, like it, pursued her to the hallway. She stopped just in front of him, and as he was about to take the opportunity to nibble her neck playfully, he noticed Rogue standing just over her shoulder.

"Is everything okay Rogue?" Ororo asked, obviously bothered by the rather bewildered look on the girl's face.

Rogue nodded slowly "I..uh…actually wanted to speak with Mr Wagner. Do ya have a minute?" She asked slowly.

Storm glanced at Kurt who shrugged his shoulders "Sure Marian, how about a glass of Pepsi in the kitchen?" He smiled encouragingly at her.

"Yeah sure" She replied, looking preoccupied.

There was a short silence, before Storm cleared her throat. "Well then, I'll uh see you in a little while then Kurt."

He gently took her wrist and drew close to her ear, his breath burning her skin and sending a pleasurable shiver through her body. "Vhy don't you change into something more comfortable and ve can have that date I promised you"

Storm focused her large brown eyes on his platinum pair. His pupils were wide in adoration. She smiled, several scenarios running through her head. Ascending the main staircase she gave him a meaningful look. "Come to my room whenever you're ready"

Kurt did not miss the suggestive edge to Ororo's request and felt his pulse quicken at the thought of a much needed romantic encounter with his beautifully exotic weather witch.

I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There's a mark you leave, like a love heart carved on a tree
I bruise easily, can't scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily, I bruise easily

The light of the refrigerator bathed his indigo skin as Nightcrawler peered among the bottles and jars stacked in one of the Institute's large coolers. His oddly-shaped fingers gripped the necks of two bottles of coke. Rogue sat at the kitchen table, her arms folded atop it, her dark features staring off into a world only she could see. Kurt turned and noticed her lost look. He sighed gently, placing himself at the other end of the table, disrupting her line of vision. Frowning slightly, she took the outstretched bottle, but did not open it. Kurt took a short sip before placing the glass bottom on the heavy wooden table.

He waited for her to speak. When she didn't, he fingered a notch in the wood before speaking. "If, there's something wrong Rogue, you know I'll do my best to help, but perhaps, Volverine of the Professor might be better to…"

She looked up at him. "No, Mr Wagner-"

He cut her off "There's no need, please, ve're X-men, please call me Kurt" He smiled reassuringly at her.

Rogue shared his smile. "Thanks…but really, Kurt, I wanted to talk to you. Umm, I don't think Wolverine would handle this very well and I'd be embarrassed to speak to the Professor about it. Everyone knows you and Storm are an item, so I thought you'd be the best person to talk to about this sort of thing."

Kurt stared at her, his pointy ears standing to attention. "Okay…vell, seeing as you picked me…vhat can I do to help you?" Kurt felt he'd gotten himself in too deep.

I found your finger prints on a glass of wine
Do your know Your leaving them all over this heart of mine too
If I never take this leap of faith I'll never know
So I'm learning to fall with no safety net to cushion the blow

Storm mounted the last of the stairs, and glanced backward. She suddenly felt herself being watched. The hairs on the back of her neck began to tingle. Trying to shake the feeling, she continued to walk down the corridor towards her room. Ororo glanced in the nearest doorway, but the room was dark as night was beginning to fall. The children would all be in the dining room, clearing up after dinner she suspected. Still she could not shake the feeling. Straightening up, she stopped in her tracks.

"Alright, I know you're there. What do you want?" She hoped dearly that it was just one of the children and not an intruder. Their gaze, however, was pervasive, not quite predatory, but penetrating and attentive.

"Got keen sense on you dere Miss Munroe" The rich Cajun droll jangled her nerves. He may have been many years her junior, but it seemed not even she could escape his sensual ways.

"Mr LeBeau, I don't consider it very endearing for a young man to be creeping up on a lady" She said, sternly turning in the direction she heard his voice. A swift movement in the shadows, alerted her to his physical presence. He stepped out into the failing light of the hallway. Wearing a black basketball shirt, he exposed his bronzed toned arms, his fingerless gloves remained however. He grinned out from beneath a black bandana.

"'Scuse me Miss Munroe, didn't mean to startle you." There was a meaningful glint in his strange ruby eyes.

Storm was growing impatient, she had a date with Kurt to keep. "What can I do for you Remy?"

Remy balanced a basketball on his index finger, he feigned concentration. Storm's frown abated. Remy seemed to be compensating for an uneasiness.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked, turning to face him properly.

He looked at her sidelong before letting the ball drop into his arms. He sighed with a smile, "Remy know you don' like him very much" He said unexpectedly. Storm blushed slightly. "S'ok Miss Munroe, no many people do."

She smirked "Besides the young girls I'll bet"

He looked up and chuckled "Yeah, we dat's what I wanna talk to you bout"

Leaning against the nearest oak panelled wall, she waited for him to continue.

Remy watched her. He held his breath slightly before looking down again and smiling. "You got ma number Miss Munroe, it's all I eva ben good at." He glanced up with a smile. "I guess I just got one o' dose faces eh?" Storm smiled gently. "But…" Suddenly becoming serious, Remy's face took on a mature air, looking older than his years; the signs of a hard lived life. "…but dis one…she's different" He said quietly.

Ororo frowned. "Who? Marie?"

He smiled a private smile, a soft, fond smile as though remembering something very dear to him. "Yeah, Marie" Remy spoke her name so softly Storm had no reason to argue with him.

I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There's a mark you leave, like a love heart carved on a tree
I bruise easily, can't scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily, I bruise easily

Rogue frowned deeply at the frosted bottle before her, squeezing it between both her palms. Kurt watched her silently.

"Do you think I'm a slut?" She asked quietly, daring not to meet his gaze.

He started, before smiling softly. "Of course not Marie! Ve can't always choose vhat our heart decides" She looked up at him, her eyes full of moisture. Nightcrawler, sensed the deep turmoil in her heart and raised himself out of his chair and travelled around to her side of the table. Rogue stared tearfully up at him. Kurt smiled kindly and enveloped her in a hug. Soon she began to sob quietly.

"I know how much your mutation must hurt you. Mine has held me back from being close vith people I cared about." Marie stared into the face of the blue demonic creature before her. She had to admit, she had been repulsed and frightened when she had first met him. He rubbed her arms reassuringly as he crouched beside her chair. "If you really feel strongly about him, then nothing should stop you being vith him. However I vould say that it vill be impossible not to hurt Robert's feelings."

Rogue's head drooped. "That's the worst part. I want to be with Remy" She looked up watery eyed at the table. "When I'm with him, I feel so right…like he's my soulmate or somethin'" Nightcrawler smiled to himself; he knew that feeling. "But I care about Bobby…I don't wanna break his heart"

Nightcrawler sighed. "Vell then, maybe it's time you spoke to Remy. Before you can make any decision, you have to find out if he feels the same vay; if he can love you, your mutation aside, the vay Bobby does."

"But-"Rogue started. Kurt placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. "But…I'm afraid he won't. I don't think I can stay here with him, like this, if he just wants to play with me. What would I tell Bobby?"

Kurt felt heavy inside. What could she do? He knew the pain of living with someone you wanted so desperately you'd give your last breath just to have. He had never advanced because of that same fear of rejection. How would Rogue be able to live around him, if he rejected her? He knelt back down next to her and turned her to face him.

"Rogue…Marie, I vill pray for you. Vhatever happens, please promise me that you vill not do anything to compromise yourself or God. You can say no, you have a choice. Don't do anything just to satisfy other people; your happiness is more important than vhat others think."

Marie once again teared up, but this time threw herself around the blue mutant before her. "Thank you Mr Wa…Kurt." He hugged her gently, his tail wagging slightly across the kitchen floor.

Anyone who, can touch you, can hurt you, or heal you
Anyone who, can reach you, can love you, or leave you

So be gentle
So be gentle
So be gentle
So be gentle

"So tell me how you feel about her then" Storm asked, folding her arms on the shiny finish of the library table.

Remy kicked his feet up onto the edge of the neighbouring chair. "What do ah say? She tres belle! Neva seen any tin' like her. Dat beautiful pale skin, dose big brown eyes, dat poutin' mouth. Only wish I could kiss it"

Ororo frowned. "All you can talk about's her appearance?"

Remy chuckled sitting properly in his chair. "Nope, dat's just for starters. Dat girl seems quiet and retiring, but she ain't. We had our little conversations, hung out, played pool and stuff.; got to know each other. Sure dere are some good lookin' girls here, including yerself" he said winking coyly at her.

Storm pulled him a face, telling him it wasn't a very good idea to even try it.

"But, it aint even her conversation or her personality" He said quickly continuing "She'd like a magnet, dere's somethin' about her dat makes me feel like I neva felt before."

"Are you in love with her?" Ororo said quite flatly.

Glancing at her uncomfortably, the young man shifted in his seat. "I dunno bout dat, neva ben in love before…but if I had to guess what it felt like, I'd say…yeah" He smiled as much to himself as to Storm. "yeah, maybe I am in love."

Storm looked at him doubtfully. "Does she know how you feel?"

Remy frowned "Course I tell her all dis. But she don' believe me! I give any'tin fo her. Any'tin"

Smiling a little, Ororo leaned across the table. "Remy you have to show her. You have to give her reason to believe you. She's got a lot to give up. A boyfriend, her security…her heart. You'd better be sure. It wont be an easy ride with that one you know"

Nodding, he agreed with her. "Heck I know dat. I aint in it coz it's easy. I'm in it coz I can't get out. She's got me reeled in, witout even trying" He became serious again. "I need her"

Ororo sighed purposefully. "Well then it seems there's only one thing you can do" She said getting up.

The young man looked confused. "What?"

Smiling she punched him on the shoulder before leaving the room. "Tell her how you feel"

I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There's a mark you leave, like a love heart carved on a tree
I bruise easily, can't scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily, I bruise easily

Storm pulled her hair up into a French roll and examined her make up in the mirror. Frowning she dropped her hair back around her shoulders. She'd picked out a black skirt and matching three quarter length blouse. She'd never wear something like this around the campus, but this floor of the Institute was for the tutors only. Only a few months ago, they found themselves in a situation where they were running out of rooms for the newer students, so all adults had to move to their own floor; which suited Storm perfectly. Finally, applying a quick layer of red lipstick, Ororo took one last glance at herself in the mirror. There was a brisk knock at the door.

Opening it, Storm smiled modestly as Kurt's eyes danced over her body. His breath got caught somewhere in his throat and he almost choked. She felt like a silly little child as the heat rose to her cheeks. Eventually Nightcrawler looked at her face.

"Storm, Ororo, you look, beautiful!" He exclaimed reaching for her hand. Putting it to his lips, he closed his eyes and inhaled her unique aroma. Sometimes he felt the naggings of insecurity when she looked so mind-blowingly fantastic. He'd see in stark contrast his own ugliness and almost wish to be normal.

Ororo took his arm and he led her down the corridor to his room. He let her go and asked her to stand in the doorway for a moment while he teleported inside. She smiled at the thought of what he prepared for her. The heavy oak door before her opened slowly and exposed the most romantic sight she had ever seen in her life. The windows were draped with red curtains, save for one gap where the moon shone down. It cast a blue light over the floor by Kurt's fireplace which was covered in rose petals. A dozen or so sat on Kurt's bed, a red ribbon tied in a bow round them. As she stepped inside, she became aware of the soft candle light emanating from the fireplace and other surfaces all around the room, as well as the soft strains of guitar music which floated around. The door closed gently behind her. Soft fingertips enclosed over her shoulders and she reeled from the feeling. Two gentle lips caressed the nape of her neck and she went weak at the knees.

I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There's a mark you leave, like a love heart carved on a tree
I bruise easily, can't scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily, I bruise easily

Kurt popped the cork on the champagne and poured a generous amount into a tall flute. Passing it to his girlfriend he smiled at her. She was still wide-eyed.

"Kurt, I still can't believe you did all this for me"

He smiled quizzically at her. "Vhy is it so hard to believe?"

She sighed resting on her elbow. They sat on the floor together upon a tartan rug. Kurt had prepared a bowl of strawberries which they sat and fed to one another. "I guess just because no one has ever done anything like this for me before. It's just amazing"

The blue mutant before her cupped her cheek slightly, staring straight into her eyes. "Vell that's the first thing to change. From now on you're the queen, okay?"

Storm chuckled. "Okay, whatever you say" She grinned. "How was your day?"

Lying on his back, Kurt closed his eyes and smiled contentedly. "Tiring. But it's beginning to get better" Smiling he opened one eye to wink at her.

There was a comfortable silence as Ororo drank from the glass her lover had poured for her. She stared into the flickering flame of one of the candles in Kurt's fireplace. Kurt began watching her, noticing her distant far off stare. He felt his nerve and courage begin to disintegrate as he stared at her beautiful lips, her smooth soft skin and her feathery hair. She was too much; too wonderful and beautiful. He was probably setting himself up for a huge fall. However, he had planned this weeks ago and he wasn't going to back out now that he was so close. Praying silently to God for the strength to be able to do what he had planned, he picked himself off the floor.

Ororo's daydream was interrupted as Kurt rose to his feet. She watched as he turned away from her and rummaged in a drawer. She was about to ask, when he turned his head to look at her. He half turned, still studying her. "Ororo…how do you feel…about me?"

Storm was more than a little surprised by this blunt sweeping question. She searched his eyes for his true meaning. "I love you Kurt, you know that" She felt her heart sink. What was happening?

Kurt nodded solemnly. "Yes I know." He came to sit down opposite her, his legs folded beneath him. "Do you know how I feel about you?"

She was really confused now. "Yes Kurt" She said uncertainly. "I know you love me too-"

"No" He cut her off abruptly. She searched his eyes, frowning. "I love you more than I could ever imagine. I love you more than I could ever love anyone else. I need you here beside me always. I can't live without you Ororo; my perfect, beautiful, graceful, loving Ororo." He licked his lips, nervousness biting at him like a rabid dog.

Storm's eyes began to well up with tears, her cheeks beaming a crimson hue.

"That's vhy I vant to ask you…" Kurt produced a small black box from behind his back. Inside sat a thin gold band atop it was mounted a trio of small white diamonds. "…Ororo Munroe vill you do me the honour of becoming my vife?"

I bruise easily
I bruise easily

AN: So, what did you think? Did you see that one coming? Or maybe you didn't? I hope it's been a satisfactory chapter. Hopefully I'll be more forth coming in my next chapter ie; I'll have it done before next Christmas lol. God bless